A visit to the Botanical Club

A friend from New York visited my dear Milan recently. After dinner with some of her colleagues at Berberè, we decided a cocktail was in order so that we could properly catch up.

Belladonna Punch

With a Duane Reade shopping bag in tote (filled with bagels, care of my friend!), we made our way over to Via Pastrengo so that we could arrive at the Botanical Club, a small batch gin distillery, restaurant and cocktail bar that opened in June 2015; a second location has since opened on Via Tortona.

I’m always in Isola, particularly that little neck of the woods, to dine and/or drink at Anche across the street. While the Botanical Club does serve a plate of three small bites to accompany whichever cocktail you select, Anche offers the more traditional apertivo buffet experience, and once the warm weather hits, it’s the place to be with fellow merrymakers on the sidewalk doing one of the many things that Italians do best. The Botanical Club and Anche offer two completely different experiences.

Anyhoo, we arrived and sat at high-top table in the bar. My friend ordered Belladonna Punch, which intrigued me because Bella Donna is the name of Stevie Nicks’ debut solo album, which I adore. Champagne, Genevere gin, agrumi sherbert and Maraschino comprised the cocktail, a take on Garrick Punch, which was created in London in 1835. The French touches are intended to elevate the elegance and aristocracy of the drink.

All Over cocktail

I opted for the All Over, made with vodka, ginger syrup, flower cordiale, citrus mix and Fentimans Rose lemonade. What can I say? I’m a sucker for lemonade…it’s my drink of choice! I could have easily downed a second of this delightfully refreshing cocktail, but I stuck with one, due to my morning run commitment.

Upon leaving, I realized I don’t drink at The Botanical Club enough…it had been ages, in fact since my last visit. I’ll just have to get back there soon.